The Georgia Aquarium and its Sea World affiliates wanted to capture Russian beluga whales to stock their small pools for the sake of profiting off animal exploitation. With a strong push from actress and animal rights activist, Kim Basinger and People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), their request was denied by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

PETA spokesperson Moira Colley told WENN.com that Basinger’s involvement was a huge help in the cause. “Kim Basinger’s heartfelt plea to NOAA on behalf of the 18 belugas who were cruelly torn from their families in Russian waters helped ensure that the agency made the right decision today to deny permits to import the animals for a life in small tanks at US amusement parks like SeaWorld,” she says. “PETA is grateful to her for helping see this campaign through.”

“Thanks to movies such as “Blackfish” and PETA’s lawsuit against SeaWorld for violating orcas’ 13th Amendment right to freedom, people have learned of the rodeo-style capture of whales from their pods in the ocean.” Colley adds that she is eager for the day when “the ‘abusement’ parks will close and and the whales and dolphins will be removed from their cement bathtubs and returned to the oceans, where they belong.”

About Amanda Just

Amanda Just is a longtime vegan who loves to promote compassionate living in fun, creative ways. As a writer, she has contributed to This Dish Is Veg, ForksOverKnives.com, and many other blogs, websites, and newsletters. As an activist, she champions many causes, from veganism and animal rights to environmental protection and human rights. Amanda resides in Tampa Bay, Florida.

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